Emergency exit window



April 1957 G. H. GOODEMOTE ET AL 2,787,348

EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW Filed May 28, 1954 E mm m T G m Qm u V NOB m n 10H .v M n5 Mmfi H a E k no G G u HY B EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW George H. Goodemote and Hugo W. Seaburg, Syracuse, N. Y., assignors to The 0. M. Edwards Company, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 28, 1954, Serial No. 433,111

3 Claims. (Cl. 189 -64) This invention relates to emergency exit window structure, and has particular reference to an improved means for releasably securing a push-out type of emergency exit sash in a vehicle window opening.

As is well-known, busses, railway cars and similar public conveyances are frequently equipped with emergency exit windows wherein the window sash can be removed from the window opening to provide an exit for trapped passengers in the event of an accident. Many types of emergency sash are normally retained in place by fastening means which must first be released by operating a lever or button before the sash can be removed from, or swung out in, the window opening. Other types, such as those commonly known as push-out or knock-out sash, can be removed by simply applying suflicient force to the sash itself, which force overcomes the holding action of the fastening means and pushes the sash out in a single operation. This latter type of sash is gaining increasing favor with safety authorities and also with vehicle manufacturers for the obvious reason that its emergency operation is quicker and more certain.

While the push-out or knock-out type sash has the advantage of very fast emergency operation, certain disadvantages have been noted in conjunction with the various fastening means heretofore employed to retain the sash in normal Window closing position. Thus, in many arrangements, the fastening means include expendable parts which are destroyed or lost whenever the sash is intentionally or accidentally pushed out. This, of course, necessitates replacement parts and frequently means that the vehicle must be sent to the repair garage in order to properly re-secure the sash in window closing position. In other arrangements, even though none of the fastening elements are destroyed or lost, the vehicle must still be sent to the garage to have the sash restored to closing position, which results in the loss of valuable operating time. A few arrangements avoid the above-noted disadvantage but in so doing usually introduce more complex and expensive sash and fastening structure.

The present invention contemplates a releasable fastening means for push-out sash or the like which has none of the disadvantages noted above. Briefly stated, the invention provides a fastening means for a. sash, which may be swingably mounted adjacent one edge, comprising one or more ductile metal clips secured to the free edge of the sash and bent into fastening engagement with a flange on the window frame or an equivalent fixed member. Since the clip elements are ductile or pliant, the flange engaging portions thereof unbend upon the application of sufficient force to the sash, disengaging the clips from the flange and allowing the sash to be swung out of the window frame. The clip elements can be manufactured and installed at a very low cost, and can be used over and over again if necessary. Furthermore, since they can not be lost or destroyed, and can be easily re-engaged by the vehicle operator, there is no need for large replacement stocks or any loss of vehicle operating time due to garage repairs.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention nited StatcsPatent Of 2,787,348 Patented Apr. 2, 1957 to provide an improved fastening means for releasably securing a push-out type sash in a vehicle window opening, which fastening means is exceptionally economical to manufacture and install, and when once installed may be used over and over again.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a releasable push-out sash fastening means which is practical and reliable, and yet which operates on the simplest possible principle.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a releasable push-out sash fastening means which can be easily reengaged after being released, without the use of special tools.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate corresponding parts in all the views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an emergency exit window structure embodying the invention, the elevation being taken from the interior of the vehicle;

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is detailed side elevation of a fastening clip, showing the clip in non-engaging or releasing position; and

Figure 5 is detailed front elevation of the clip shown in Figure 4.

Having reference now to the drawings, which illustrate a typical embodiment of the invention for the purpose of disclosure, 10 generally indicates a push-out sash mounted in a window frame 11 formed by the body panels 12 of the vehicle. The push-out sash 10 comprises a sash frame 14, provided with suitable Weatherstripping 15, and upper and lower sub-sash or panels 17, 18, the upper panel being movable and the lower panel fixed. The push-out sash is swingably mounted in the window frame as by hinges 20 secured to the top rail or header 21 of the sash frame 14 and upper body panel 12. A drip moulding or drip cap 22 may be mounted on the outside of the upper body panel as shown in Figure 2.

Upper and lower panels 17, 18 are of substantially conventional sash construction, the upper movable or drop panel 17 comprising laminated sheet glass 24, sash glazing rubber 25 and a supporting frame 27. Frame 27 is guided for vertical sliding movement by means of guide ribs 28 on the push-out sash frame 14, the ribs being received in weatherstripped channels 30 formed in the side rails or stiles of the panel frame, Figure 3. The top rail of the panel frame 27 is also formed with a weatherstripped channel 31 which receives a horizontal rib 32 on the push-out sash frame when the panel is in closed position. The panel 17 may be maintained in any adjusted position by sash locks 34, Figure l, which coact in a well-known manner with stops (not shown) on the push-out sash frame.

Lower panel 18 is similar in construction to upper panel 17 and comprises laminated sheet glass 35, sash glazing rubber 37 and a supporting frame 38. The frame 38, however, is formed integrally with the push-out sash frame 14 as may be best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The upper rail of frame 38 is provided with suitable Weatherstripping 40 which engages the bottom rail of panel 17 when the latter is in closed position.

The window frame 11 is formed at its inner edge with a flange 41, and the bottom portion of this flange is adapted to coact with one or more clip elements 42 mounted on the push-out sash to releasably secure the latter in window closing position. In accordance with the invention, the clip elements should be formed of a material which is substantially rigid and yet capable of being bent without fracturing. For this purpose, a ductile or pliant metal such as copper is preferred, although other materials having the necessary characteristics may, of course, be used. The clip elements 42 are initially formed into angle shapes as shown in solid lines in Figure 4, and the vertical legs 44 thereof are permanently secured as by screws 45 to the inner side of the bottom rail 47 of the push-out sash frame. The horizontal leg 48 of each clip then projects inwardly beyond the flange 41, as shown in dash lines in Figure 2, and the overhanging portion thereof is bent downwardly to form a second vertical leg 50 overlying the inner side of the flange. This arrangement serves to secure the push-out sash in window closing position and hold it firmly against normal pressures, vehicle vibrations, distortions and the like. If, however, suflicient force is applied to the inner side of the sash, as by pushing hard against it with the hands or feet, the leg 50 will give or unbend until it becomes disengaged from the flange 41 and the sash will swing out of the window frame to provide an emergency exit for trapped passengers.

Since the leg or legs 50 merely unbend upon the application of suflicient force to the sash, no part of the fastening means is destroyed; and since the clips remain secured to the bottom rail of the sash, nothing can be lost. Accordingly, when it is desired to re-secure to sash in window closing position no replacement parts, special tools or skills are needed. The sash is simply restored to closed position, and the legs 50 are again bent down into engagement with the flange 41 using an ordinary hammer or the like. Since a ductile or pliant clip material such as copper can be bent and unbent many times without fracturing, it will be apparent that the releasable fastening means disclosed herein can be used over and over again without losing its eifectiveness, The number of clip elements required for any given application will, of course, depend upon the size and weight of the particular push-out sash.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiment disclosed therefor is to be considered in all respects as illustrative rather than restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1,. In an emergency exit window assembly having a push-out sash swingably mounted adjacent its top rail in a Window frame, said frame being formed with an upstanding flange adjacent to and inwardly of the bottom rail of said sash; releasable fastening means to normally maintain said sash in window closing position comprising 'at 'least one inverted, substantially U-shaped pliant metal clip having one leg secured to the inner side of said bottom rail and the other leg overlying the inner side of said flange, said overlying leg being bendable upon the application of suffic'ient force to the inner side of said sash to disengage it from said flange and allow the sash to be swung out of said frame.

2. Structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said overlying c'lip leg initially extends horizontally from said bottom rail and is bent downwardly into fastening engagement with said flange after said sash has been moved into window closing position.

3. In an emergency exit window assembly having a push-out sash swingably mounted adjacent its top rail in a window frame, said frame being formed with an upstanding flange adjacent to and inwardly of the bottom rail of said sash; releasable fastening means to normally maintain said sash in window closing position comprising at least one inverted, substantially U-shaped pliant metal clip .having one leg fixed to the inner side of said bottom rail and the other leg overlying the inner side of said flange, said overlying leg being bendable upon the application of suflicient force to the inner side of said sash to disengage it from said flange and allow the sash to be swung out of said frame, said clip remaining secured to the bottom rail of said sash when the latter is swung out and being rebendable into overlying relation with said flange when said sash has returned to window closing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,959,643 Plym May 22, 1934 2,255,725 Trescher Sept. 9, 1941 2,639,790 Reitzel May 26, 1953 2,670,062 Carbinier et al Feb. 23, 1954 

